When those hot days of summer arrive, homeowners will be happy to know that they have already checked out local air conditioning companies. The right AC company can keep existing systems cleaned and maintained, and they can also suggest the best system for a home in case a new AC is needed! Homeowners who haven’t yet found their own favorite local AC techs can get some tips here to take care of this task!

How To Check Out Local Air Conditioning Companies

It’s always a good idea to have the number of good AC pros on hand in case you need help. In most areas, there are dozens of companies that are eager to complete for your business. These are some tips to help you narrow down your search to find a reliable business with competitive prices:

* Check the internet for listings and reviews of companies in your town or city. Yelp and Google Reviews are two sites that post listings and reviews of local service businesses.

Experience AC Companies Before You Have An Emergency

It’s always best to have an AC company or two in mind before you suffer from an emergency situation. If you lose your cooling system when it’s 100 degrees outside, you surely want to get that problem solved as quickly as you can.

One great way to learn more about an AC business in your town is to take the time to get your AC services. You really should have routine maintenance performed anyway. It can help keep your HVAC system running longer and more efficiently.

During a maintenance visit, the technician will also check for minor issues that might need attention. Getting your system maintained and repaired can keep you from having to make emergency repairs. It can also keep your system running longer and more efficiently. This saves you money in the long run.

Of course, this type of service helps you get acquainted with your local AC company’s services. It also makes sure that they know you. If you do need an emergency repair during the busiest months of the summer, you’ll be a priority if you are already an established customer.

Installing A New AC System

From time to time, you might need an upgraded system. This could be because your old system is too costly to repair or simply costs too much to run for a variety of reasons. Getting a new air conditioner can be expensive, but most AC companies can help you access credit if you can’t write a check for the full amount.

It’s important to buy the right system for your size of home and climate. In fact, finding a company that knows how to suggest the right system can make all of the difference. Before you buy a new air conditioner, ask the company why they suggest certain models for your home.

In any case, newer air conditioners are much more efficient than older models. Since air conditioning tends to be one of the biggest power drains in a home, you are likely to enjoy savings on your power bills. In many cases, the new system will pay for itself in lower power and repair bills over a few years.

Ask Companies About Energy Star Air Conditioners

Energy Star is a program that companies voluntarily participate in. These products get labelled to help homeowners understand how much energy they are likely to need to run the unit. This is a great way to help consumers pick out an AC system that can help save money on power and help save the environment.

Why Is A Maintained And Efficient AC Important?

It’s obvious that an AC system can help people stay comfortable in hot climates. In addition, these systems can help reduce indoor air pollution and even help people in the household stay healthy. This is vitally important for families with kids or older folks in the home.

Homeowners can feel about about their investment in an efficient air conditioner and a good air conditioning service provider.

It won’t be wrong to say that air conditioner is one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. It’s difficult to imagine life today without air conditioning systems. Like all other machines, air conditioning systems also need proper maintenance and repairs to make sure that they keep working without any issues.

You should call a professional air conditioning repair service if the air conditioner is not providing enough cooling or water is leaking from the A/C or a strange noise is coming from your air-conditioner. You should also call your local A/C repair service if you feel that anything is wrong with your air-conditioner.

It is important to not ignore any such issues as big repairs may prove to be costly if you keep ignoring such issues. Thankfully, there is no dearth of AC repair companies around but there is a lot of difference in the quality of services offered by various AC repair companies.

Here are some factors you need to consider to choose the right A/C repair service.

Experience of Technicians

One of the most important things you need to look at is the experience of the technicians in the company. Many companies advertise being in the business for many decades but it does not necessarily mean that they have the most experienced technicians on their rolls.

Therefore, you need to look at the experience of the technicians instead of just looking at the number of years the company has been in business.

Licensing and Insurance

Needless to say, the service provider should have a valid and up-to-date license. Ask the contractor to give you their license number and check its validity online before you allow them to come into your home.

Similarly, you also need to make sure that the repair company has proper insurance including general liability insurance as well as workers’ compensation insurance. Ask them to show you their insurance policy and you should call the insurance company to make sure that the insurance is valid.

Certifications

If you have a choice, always choose a repair company that has factory trained repair technicians. There are a number of organizations that provide training and certification for HVAC services including UA Star, North American Technician Excellence, HVAC Excellence and Refrigeration Service Engineer’s Society. A certification from one of these organizations is a sign of the professionalism of the company.

Many A/C manufacturers also offer various training and certification programs. These programs are focused on training technicians on installation, diagnosis as well as repair of the equipment made by them. These technicians are also regularly provided training on new products and procedures. Certification by the manufacturers ensures that the repair done by the technician will meet the requirements of the manufacturer and keep the warranty valid.

Reviews and Ratings

There is no dearth of review websites and apps. There are also a number of local and state organizations that can offer a lot of information regarding a particular air-conditioning repair company. You should also check the Better Business Bureau rating of the company as it will give you an overview of the complaints customers have filed against the company and the steps company has taken to resolve those complaints.

Companies with A+ BBB rating are the best as it means that they do not have any outstanding complaint.

References

Professional AC repair companies won’t hesitate when you ask for references. It is important that you talk to former customers to find more information on how the company meets the needs of its customers. These references combined with recommendations from your friends and family members will give you a complete picture of the service record of the repair company.

Warranties

A reputable company will always stand behind its work. You need to ask the company about the warranties offered on parts, labor as well as new equipment. A reasonable warranty period ensures that your air conditioner will keep running without any troubles for a long time to come.

Maintenance Plans

Most repair companies offer maintenance plans where they maintain the system on a regular basis for an annual fee. Regular maintenance not only extends the lifespan of the equipment but also makes sure that it keeps running safely and efficiently. Maintenance plans also turn out to be cheaper in the long-term as any issues are quickly fixed before they require costly repairs.

Essential Tips When Dealing With AC Companies

The heating and cooling systems in your home work to offer you comfort. But, when these systems are not kept in shape, they lead to a lot of costs, since much energy will be going into waste. Did you know that depending on your systems and the climate of your area; dirty thermostats, clogged filters, leaky ductwork, unlubricated fan motors, and sooty flues could reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling by up to 25 percent?

Some maintenance tasks are quite simple, while the others will require a professional. A HVAC contractor can help your keep your system working at its best throughout its lifetime. How should you deal with your AC equipment and the contractors that service it? Here are some tips:

Heat Pump

The heat pump only requires an annual service; where the technician will:
• Check and replace (if necessary) the belts
• Inspect the entire wiring of the system
• Oil the moving parts
• Check and replace filters when necessary

Air Conditioner

The AC units are relatively a little less maintenance intensive. It is recommended that at the end of each cooling season, the following should be done:
• Vacuum the unit out
• Oil (lubricate) the motors
• Clean and check if the air filters need replacing
• When the unit doesn’t work properly, the refrigerant pressure should be checked

Gas Fired Furnace

The furnace filter should be checked regularly, and changed every two months in the heating season. The circulating fan should be lubricated at least once a year. Have your technician check the following annually:
• Heat exchanger
• Ducts
• Flue
• Burner adjustments

Oil-fired Burner

This requires annual maintenance, and the AC pro should check the following:
• Change the air filters
• Clean up the flue
• Adjust and clean the fuel jets

What About Choosing HVAC Companies?

Bottom-line, not all AC companies are the same. Doing some research could be the difference between working with a professionally installed, solid AC unit, and being simply ripped off. Look at it this way; are all the doctors the same? What about all the mechanics? Although HVAC contractors have a bad reputation, many of us out there still do an exceptional job.

When choosing the company that will maintain your system, it’s better to look for one that installs, designs, and services the same type of system in your home. In most cases, full service companies are usually up to date with the latest advancements in the HVAC industry. Aside from checking that the company enforces worker’s compensation and liability insurance policies, be sure to ask for recommendations from previous clients, neighbors, family, and friends that have worked with the company over the years. Inquire about:
• How the system performed when under the company’s care
• How fast the contractors responded to emergencies
• How did the technicians leave the working area (clean or dirty) after the tasks?
• Did the technicians arrive punctually each time they were called for assistance?

Keep in mind that AC companies with an emergency number and are adequately staffed for 24/7 operations, with enough technicians to respond even when calls pile up; are possible quality AC service providers.

How to Purchase a New AC system

Typically, HVAC systems are designed to perform optimally for at least 15 to 20 years. In this case, if your AC system is older than this, then it’s condition should be assessed by a professional. Yes, replacing the HVAC system is one major expense, but on the bright side, modern systems offer superior features, and operate significantly more efficiently than the units they replace.

You can start your search by seeking recommendations from friends, family, and neighbors on what companies they work with, or they hired to install an AC system. Should they be happy with how the installation was conducted, and the way the system is operating, you can request their contractor to visit your home to give you details about installing such a system.

Be sure to meet with 2 or more contractors, and go with an AC company that installs products from 2 or more manufacturers. As the owner, you should be involved in the design of the system, participate actively in the installation process, and inspect it when the project is completed. You obviously don’t want to have a sales man with no experience in the field, designing and installing the system.